Job Description
Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.
Governments and private industry rely on us to create satellite‑based systems that provide trusted, anytime‑anywhere connectivity and positioning—helping care for our planet, manage its resources thoughtfully, and explore our Solar System with curiosity and purpose. We view space as a new horizon for collective progress, shaping a more sustainable life on Earth. As a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space partners with Telespazio through the Space Alliance to deliver a full suite of integrated solutions and services.
Are you a visionary engineer who thrives at the intersection of complex physics and strategic leadership? Do you have the "bias for action" required to take propulsion systems from a napkin sketch to orbit?
We are looking for a Head of Discipline – Propulsion Systems to architect our next generation of space solutions. This isn't just a management role—it’s an opportunity to lead a department, drive technical innovation, and leave your mark on the future of space exploration.
The Mission
As our Propulsion Lead, you will be the bridge between high-level strategy and technical execution. You will lead a team to deliver high-performance propulsion systems for our most ambitious projects and bids.
What You’ll Do:
Architect the Department: Build, mentor, and scale a world-class engineering team. You’ll own the headcount, the culture, and the growth trajectory of your engineers.
Drive the Strategy: Define the long-term vision for our propulsion technologies, ensuring we stay ahead of industry trends and regulatory requirements.
Deliver Excellence: Oversee the full systems lifecycle—from initial concept and trade studies to integration, testing, and flight validation.
Fuel Business Growth: Partner with our bid teams to provide the technical weight and resource estimates needed to win the industry's most competitive contracts.
Collaborate Globally: Lead across borders, fostering a "Together" mindset with geographically dispersed teams and international partners.
Who You Are:
A Technical Authority: You hold a degree in Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, or Physics, with extensive experience in space-grade systems engineering.
A Strategic Thinker: You don't just solve today's problems; you anticipate the challenges of five years from now.
A Leader by Example: You "Make It Happen." You are resilient, decisive, and take full ownership of results.
Space Savvy: You have a deep understanding of the space environment and a mastery of industry standards (ECSS/NASA).
Why Join Us?
Impact: Your work will directly enable the next generation of space missions.
Innovation: We challenge the status quo every day. If there’s a better way to do it, we want you to lead the charge.
Culture: We believe in empowerment, diverse perspectives, and the power of a "Together" mindset.
Benefits:
Performance-related bonus (grade dependent)
Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00
28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata)
24 hours volunteering paid for
Private healthcare (grade dependent)
Pension scheme
Life cover
24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
Gym membership discounts
Security Clearance Requirement:
Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires Security Clearance (SC). It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment.
To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.
Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels.
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At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.
We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.
If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.
Join Thales in the UK – Innovate with us and shape the future!
